Things I Find Interesting

    Music

    Books

    TV

    Leisure

    Sport

    Computing

Music

There isn't much in the way of links here yet, but as I find links to things I'll add them here.

• Queen
• Jean-Michel Jarre
• Classical
• Dire Straits
• Space
• Lightning Seeds

Books

This is a section I hope to be working on a lot more in the future. Take a look at my new book section.

I'm a big fan of Douglas Adams, take a look at the Douglas Adams Appreciation Page, the Douglas Adams Home Page or the Mostly Harmless Web Page.

Douglas Adams also has a new project underway, called The Digital Village, which is planning to produce a number of 'multiple media' projects. Their first is Starship Titanic, a combined book and computer game release. The book (written by Terry Jones) is already available, and the game is due for release any day now (which if Douglas' track record is anything to go by, could mean any time before the end of the 21st Century!). He also now has his own web site.

I've had the chance to read the book recently, and have to say that it does read a lot like the hint book for the forthcoming game (although apparently there will be a hint book available too!). Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the book, although it does lack the particular humour that we all have come to expect from Douglas Adams.

Also, someone has written an online version of the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy. It needs a relatively new browser to appreciate it though!

Tragically, Douglas Adams died on 11th May, 2001 in California, aged just 49. He will be sorely missed.

I also read lot of Stephen King books, I personally prefer his longer books. However, possibly my favourite of all of his works is one of the titles featured in 'Four Past Midnight'. The novella is called 'The Langoliers', and is one of the few books that I almost literally couldn't put down the first time I read it.

He also seems to have recently gone through a spate of having a number of films made based upon his books. Probably the best I've seen so far is 'The Stand' (which I believe was an American 'mini-series'.) There have been a few turkeys too (Needless Things being one of them), but Mr. King appears to be carrying on the fine traditions initially set by one Alfred Hitchcock, by making short (though often not short enough!) appearances in his films.

TV

I also watch a lot of Red Dwarf, have a look at the Official Red Dwarf Fan Club. Also, there is the alt.tv.red-dwarf home page.

Top Gear is always worth a watch for motoring enthusiasts, not least for Jeremy Clarkson and his typically 'male' view of motoring.

Apart from Red Dwarf, there aren't really many programs I make a point of watching. I like 'Have I Got News for You?', as well as 'Casualty' and 'London's Burning'. Those and the Grands Prix (during the season at least!) are just about all I need a TV for.

Leisure

For a while I went parachuting quite regularly. However, due to the fact that I had to pay for my MSc, this has recently stopped. I would love to take it up again. Have a look at the rec.skydiving newsgroup, the University of Sheffield Skydiving Club or the British Collegiate Parachute Association.

I also enjoy karting. I've been a couple of times, a pic from one of the visits is shown here. It shows me and my mate dicing in the final. Unfortunately, I'm the one in second place!

More recently, I have purchased (half of) a racing pro-kart. This twin engined beast produces over 6 BHP! It's an incredibly cheap way to get into motorsport at grass-roots level, and obviously enormous fun. We haven't been brave enough to race yet, but when we do it will be at Reading Trail Park, where we currently do all of our practicing and testing.

Another passion of mine is roller coasters. I'm currently putting together an Unoffical UK Theme Parks Home Page. Take a look and let me know what you think!

Sport

Another particular interest of mine is the sport of motor racing. Take a look at my Formula 1 page.

Computing

My operating system of choice is the excellent the greatest free operating system in the world (that I've used!). I also use Windows 95 (but only if I have to!) for general stuff that I haven't got around to working out how to use Linux for.

There's a few great collections of Windows software around, the ones I probably use most are WinFiles.com and Simtel.Net.

As far as web browsers go, when under Linux I tend to use Lynx or Netscape, and under Windows it's basically Internet Explorer.